30 Best Cars Under $30,000 in 2018

2018 Volkswagen Golf

$20,910 | U.S. News Score: 8.6/10

Three members of the 2018 Volkswagen Golf family have the blend of low price and high U.S. News Best Cars scores to earn a spot on this list. The 2018 Golf, Golf SportWagen, and VW GTI siblings all feature sporty driving dynamics and energetic engine options.

Of the three, the 2018 Volkswagen GTI is the quickest. It features a 220-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder engine and either a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission or six-speed dual-clutch automatic. In our ranking of compact cars, it earns a spot near the top.

The 2018 Volkswagen Golf is the family’s value leader, with a base price of $20,910. In addition to a spacious, upscale interior, the Golf’s hatchback design allows it to swallow more than 53 cubic feet of cargo.

If you need more space than is found in the Golf hatchback, the 2018 Volkswagen Golf SportWagen makes an excellent choice without breaking the bank or moving to an SUV. It's available with either front- or all-wheel drive.